Empty Nest Syndrome

On New Years Day

we went shopping during this awfeul reccession that we are facing in the United States.

Becker Funriture World was having a sale. We used to have two Wing Back chairs that were beautiful in their day. Waverly fabric with white and blue checks and flowered pillows totally of French Country Decor. We miss those chairs. That was our new mission: to really look at every chair in the place. If you have never been there it is really a treat and a full days job to journey through this MEGA furnitre store in Becker, MN.

We sat in every chair and came to this very chair and sat in it and considered it. We moved on and looked at more chairs. We had a company that made our Hutch that we turned into an entertainment center that actually belongs in a dinning room. The table between the two chairs is an actual night stand for a bedroom set. It was made in North Carolina by KinCade. So when we were by the nightstand we asked if they made living room or den furniture. It so happened yes they do have two chairs in two different styles on the floor. Our sales rep took us to them and we were laughing and saying, "Whatch it be the chairs we already sat in." We were laughing as we approached; yes in deed they were the same chairs! One set was wing back and the other was a more luxury chair. So we ended up with a special order going in for all three of these pieces especially made by KINCADE! We finally got them last week. This night stand and the chairs have the same feet as the hutch does. It was made perfect just for us with matching marble tops and glass round handles with brass back plates with details of little brass dots going all the way around the edge! Then we got to shop for the lamp!

I have always wanted a Stained Glass Lamp and one that would be special for the theme of our home. It is UP NORTH and yet by the cabin. I did not want to get locked into the bears, pine trees, loons, moose, fishing picutres and the same decor. I have taken many pictures of Dragon Flies and they are so much a part of summer around here by the lake. They dance and stand in place for long periods of time in our field and they land on many surfaces in the yard. So I saw this lamp and the unique design it has with little golden beads all over it and claw feet. I just love the new addition to our home. Now we are getting our home just the way we like it. We will have to make a date to sit on the LOVE SEAT for movies and not retire to these chairs until we really retire! Then they should really look as gorgeous as they do this week. All to God's glory great things He hath done and allowed us a simple pleasure of TWO CHAIRS. May you find time for a two chairs moment in your life through this busy time we all live in. My Bible is now in the drawer next to my chair with the current Bible study I am in, Beth Moore's: A Woman's Heart. I sit with my tea cup, coffee cup or water and get ready for the week. May God bless you today as He has blessed my husband and I.

Look for the little things

I am currently getting ready to go on retreat to Raspberry Ridge in Motley, MN. I am looking high and low for the little everyday things that get misplaced that someone else used. It is okay, I am not complaining. That is what it is there for. My girls come home to scrapbook with us ladies and it seems funny. They come and leave their stuff in my craft room. Therefore I am moving it to find things I need. It is a good problem to have. WHY? Because they could not come home. After a weekend of scrapbooking, I find: one toddler sock, missing toys, pillows, BOBBI PINS everywhere, money, unmade beds, and a pile of their scrapbooking goods that is growing every month. Now, where is the STAZ ON CLEANER I need to bring?? Well, all I have to do is pick up the phone and call my table partner! We have planned and organized what we are bringing so that we don't have too much to clog our area! Now what do I mean by that? We bring so much stuff to make sure we have all the tools, trimmers, punches, cutting systems, big bite, crop a dile, pens, photo pencil, rulers, paint, canvas, glue, paper, adhesives, boners, stamps, ink pads, computers, Cricuts, Slice machine, Catridges for both, pictures, cd's, blanket, pillow, towels, clothes, food for 16 people for breakfast, hair dryers, pit juice, fart machine, dental floss, it's a wonder we can't find just that simple cleaner! Maybe before I leave I will dust the room down so that when I come home I can put things away right away and pick up where I left off.

Our group has changed this year from our group picture last year. One mommy had twins! We are all excited to be leaving for a magical weekend to reconnect as friends, to laugh, be silly, and have a project finished. Some stay up all night, and others turn in early. We all have come form the same town. Some have moved away. Some live right next door and we never see each other! We've never shared coffee, tea, or water due to kids and grandkids! Life is busy so please can I find the cleaner??? I have to be packed!

March Think Spring!

I know that on facebook we are all asking for S-P-R-I-N-G! It has been a long winter, gosh yes! February was not all that productive. I had my birthday and it has been working on taxes. My husband is laid off and he has helped so much. The basement was cleaned, the downstairs bedroom decorated, we got twin beds and fixed up the second bedroom. The third bedroom we will make into a part of our past. It will be the Red White and Blue room. It will represent 20 years of being in the United States Navy. Who says we can't preserve the past? The past of good times, bad times, going to Iran for battle, Desert Storm, and then there are many deployments that have great pictures. Like when the volcano errupted in the Philipeans, the San Fransico earth quake, the Riots in Los Angles. Then we have plaques that are beautiful. The Navy Wife plaque that is made of white Marble, the Home Coming pictures! Those were when I thought I was fat and now to compare those with today..what a sad tale to tell! I had just had Paul 4 months prior and my husband came home to see his son for the first time instead of through pictures! Those are precious memories to be granted a room.

As I think about the first part of this posting, I think, February has been productive even if it wasn't in scrapbooking! March should be a whole lot better! I am going on retreat NEXT WEEKEND! I will be gone for FOUR DAYS! I think I will have to clean alot of stuff after walking through the mud! So to get to the smells of S-P-R-I-N-G we have to smell the mud of the earth and wipe our feet before we can smell the sweet aroma of grass!